Like many of you, I’ve been struggling with the anger and frustration with yet another mass shooting, more dead kids and teachers, and a nation in mourning.

But I’ve sensed a different, stronger, more visceral response to this one, a response that gives me hope, albeit tinged with despair and anger.

I’ve always said that if Sandy Hook didn’t change things, nothing would. But here’s what’s different now, here’s what’s amped up the outrage against the “norm.”

We are now under an administration that foments hatred, that promotes racism, classism and many other -isms, and we fear for our lives, our children, our country. We no longer have a stable democracy or a rational leader to fall back on, nor any kind of hope that things will get better. We no longer can count on the goodness and humanity of those in power.

Deep down, we know things won’t, can’t, get better with who, for a variety of awful reasons, is in the White House and in Congress. So, it’s up to all of us — reasonable people who love this country (who are willing to let law-abiding gun owners keep their guns), who still see America as a land of opportunity, who don’t harbor hate in our hearts — to stand up and do what’s right.

We can’t wait until Nov. 6, when we decide yet again who we’re paying and entrusting to lead this country. (Have we forgotten that they work for us? Have they forgotten?)

I’m calling on those without power to fight for what is right. And I’m calling on those in power to do what is right, without a thought to polls, optics, contributions and the next election.

Each and every one of us looks in the mirror every morning. What do we see?

I have tried, numerous times, to figure out what to say. I can’t. I just asked my 10 year old granddaughter if they had said anything to her at school, she said yes. And she said that during their talk Pres. Trump came on the school network tv and told them they would be safe…..I wanted to say, but stopped myself because I wasn’t sure how it would affect her, that this sort of thing was not something I had to deal with as a child…. I sat here, just now, next to her…. And images….

Colleen, I fear for all the little ones. I’m not sure what the right words are either, especially to someone so young. My oldest son (Dan, whom you met after the marathon in ’15) wrote an essay after another shooting (which one? I don’t remember), and the gist of it is that we are all “soft targets.” As in “easy prey.” It’s discouraging to say the least, infuriating and depressing. We absolutely have to get people in Congress and the White House who have the courage and REAL empathy to take decisive action. I hope you and yours are well. Especially the little ones.:-)

I agree with your son Jim. And I agree with the need for decisive action. I do believe we all have that responsibility though. We truly need to start looking at what we deem acceptable in our lives. I remember refusing to get cable tv for YEARS when my kids were little because I was concerned about what they would have access too. Now, look at what is accessible to all of us. We took some of the little ones to play yesterday….because that’s what they should be doing. Thank you. For your passion and your dedication.

I wish, I pray, I vote, to make the changes needed to stop these killings. However I have little hope that much will change. Already today I have heard the drumbeat that more gun laws are not needed. I have heard mental health has to be looked at, but we all know funding for that has been cut. I hope I am wrong and you are right that things are about to change for the better.

I’m going to do whatever I can to change things, no matter what. … Two news items out of Florida, 3 days after the mass murder: Paul Ryan hosts a fundraiser nearby and tells a woman who is a teacher and wants to discuss gun control that he doesn’t want to “talk politics.” She protests. He has security throw her out. Also in Florida, a large gun show goes on as scheduled this weekend. I’m sure sales will zoom, as that demographic will be fed by conspiracy tales of the government post-Trump coming to take their guns. If I didn’t have loved ones in this country, I’d be gone to Ireland or wherever. Instead, I will fight.